Probiotics should be administered in adequate amounts to confer health benefits. Probiotic dose-response studies are still missing. Saccharomyces cerevisiae UFMG A-905 prevented asthma development; however, the ideal dose has not been investigated. We evaluated the optimal dose and administration regimen of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 in the prevention of asthma. Male Balb/c mice were sensitized intraperitoneally with ovalbumin (OVA) and challenged with OVA intranasally. Mice received, via gavage, daily or alternate-day S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905. In daily regimen, different concentrations (107, 108, or 109 CFU/mL) were given 10 days before OVA sensitization and during challenges. In alternate-day regimen, a concentration of 109 CFU/mL was administered three times per week for 5 weeks, starting 2 weeks prior to the first sensitization. After the last challenge, in vivo bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway and lung inflammation were assessed. OVA-challenged mice, when compared to saline-challenged mice, presented a significant increase in bronchial hyperresponsiveness and airway and lung inflammation. Daily and alternate-day administration of 109 CFU/mL of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 significantly reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness; lower concentrations of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 did not significantly reduce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Daily regimen with the highest concentration significantly reduced total cell number, eosinophil count in the BAL, and the levels of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Daily administration of S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 at 107 and 108 CFU/mL and alternate-day regimen did not significantly decrease airway and lung inflammation. S. cerevisiae UFMG A-905 led to a significant attenuation of bronchial hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation in a dose-dependent manner.
Keywords: Asthma; Bronchial hyperresponsiveness; Inflammation; Primary prevention; Probiotics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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